Apparatus and method for constructing reinforcements for concrete columns

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for constructing a reinforcing frame for a concrete column from a plurality of rods and bands includes a flat erector table mounted on a wheeled base for pivotal movement between a horizontal position and a vertical position, the table in its horizontal position having removably mounted thereon two longitudinally spaced-apart generally T-shaped assembly racks, each having two horizontally movable carriers thereon, each carrier having a band support member and at least one rod support member thereon, the band and rod support members all cooperating in use to support a plurality of horizontally extending rods and a plurality of bands in surrounding relationship with the rods in position for assembly of the rods with the bands to form the reinforcing frame, the racks being removable after assembly of the frame, and retainers for holding the frame on the erector table during movement thereof to the vertical or frame-installing position thereof. A method of constructing a reinforcing frame for concrete columns from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands comprising the steps of supporting the rods in spacedapart horizontal relationship, supporting the bands independently of and in surrounding relationship with the supported rods, moving a first plurality of the bands into engagement with first selected ones of the rods at spaced-apart points therealong and repeating this step for a second plurality of bands and so on until all bands have been moved into engagement with the rods whereby to provide an assembled reinforcing frame.

[ Oct. 1, 1974 United States Patent [1 1 Spencer l l APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR base for pivotal movement between a horizontal posi- CONSTRUCTING REINFORCEMENTS FOR tion and a vertical position, the table in its horizontal CQNCRETE O S position having removably mounted thereon two lon- [75] Inventor: Owen C. Spencer, Calumet Park, Ill. gltudmany spaced-apart generally il ggsg i s i g thereon, each carrier having a band support member and at least one rod support member thereon, the

band and rod support members all cooperating in use racks, each having two horizontally to support a plurality of horizontally extending rods and a plurality of bands in surrounding relationship N am I V n m 8 m B n n n mw mm m .1 mm HS 5H7 MAA2 m N g m .1 p m h n. A FA l] 3 2 22 with the rods in position for assembly of the rods with the bands to form the reinforcing frame, the racks being removable after assembly of the frame, and retainers for holding the frame on the erector table during movement thereof to the vertical or frame- 0 ,8 Q Z 0 4 0 102 /D.25 0 1 a 5 HW R 5010 50 w. HW Q,1|..3-A/- 20-5 3 29 WBZ h C u r a a e u S .L C

8 .w UmF Hum 555 [ll installing position thereof. A method of constructing a reinforcing frame for concrete columns from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands comprising the steps of supporting the rods in spaced-apart horizontal [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 29/155 C relationship, supporting the bands independently of and in surrounding relationship with the supported 29/155 C rods, moving a first plurality of the bands into engagement with first selected ones of the rods at spacedapart points therealong and repeating this step for a second plurality of bands and so on until all bands have been moved into engagement with the rods whereby to provide an assembled reinforcing frame.

2,480,180 8/1949 Bolton............................... 2,561,581 7/1951 Macerata..........

3,336,649 8/1967 Primary Examiner-Thomas H. Eager Attorney, Agent, or FirmLester N. Arnold [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for constructing a reinforcing frame for a concrete column from a plurality of rods and bands includes a flat erector table mounted on a wheeled "ircnagn"analgesia;

illul l FIG. 1

PATENTED I 3. 838 .484

PAIENTEDucI 11914 SHEET 3 0f 4 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING REINFORCEMENTS FOR CONCRETE COLUMNS The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for constructing and erecting a reinforcing frame for a concrete column of a building. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for constructing a reinforcing frame from a plurality of steel bars and bands with a considerable saving in manhours.

Utilizing existing techniques, a crew of five men, including four assemblers and a hoist operator, is normally needed to handle the construction and installation of reinforcing frames for concrete columns at a construction site. On the average, it takes the four assemblers a full day to assemble tons of steel reinforcing framework and requires an additional 3 hours the next day for these four men plus a hoist and a hoist operator to erect the reinforcing frames and install them in place-a total of 47 man-hours to assemble and install five tons of reinforcing steel.

In the present invention, the hoist is utilized only to lift the steel rods and bands to the desired floor of the building under construction, at which point the apparatus of the present invention is utilized, and this enables two men to assemble, erect and install the reinforcing frame at the installation site, the other two men being free to operate another apparatus in accordance with this invention. Thus, by the use of the present invention, these same four assemblers and one hoist operator can assemble and install the 5 tons of reinforcing steel in only 3 hours, for a total of 15 man-hours, thereby effecting a saving of 32 man-hours. Furthermore, the present invention provides an apparatus and method whereby steel reinforcing bars and bands, once they have been hoisted to the desired floor of the building under construction, can quickly and easily be assembled into a reinforcing frame, erected and installed in place by only two men.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, the apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism mounted on the base for movement between a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, and an assembly rack mounted on the erector mechanism for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands in position for assembly to form a reinforcing frame when the erector mechanism is in the frameassembling position thereof, movement of the erector mechanism from the frame-assembling position thereof to the frame-installing position thereof serving to erect the assembled frame for installation, whereby the apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid bars and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, the apparatus comprising a support base, an assembly rack mounted on the base, and a plurality of carriers mounted on the assembly rack for movement between a material loading condition and a material assembling condition for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands thereon, the carriers in the material loading condition thereof supporting the associated rods out of engagement with the associated bands to facilitate loading thereof onto the carriers. the carriers in the material assembling condition thereof supporting at least predetermined ones of the associated rods in engagement with the associated bands for facilitating assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame when the erector mechanism is in the frame-assembling position thereof, whereby the apparatus facilitates the construction of the reinforcing frame at a building construction site.

In construction with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide apparatus of the type set forth wherein the erector mechanism is movable between a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position for erecting the assembled frame.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth, wherein two assembly racks are provided, each being generally T- shaped and including a pair of carriers movably mounted thereon, each carrier having a rod support member and a band support member thereon, corresponding rod support members on the two assembly racks cooperating to support the rod and the band support members on each assembly rack supporting a plurality of bands.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the type set forth, wherein the assembly racks are removably mounted on the erector mechanism, and further including retaining means carried by the erector mechanism for engagement with the assembled reinforcing frame to retain the assembled frame in position on the erector mechanism during movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof when the assembly rack has been removed.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the type set forth, wherein the retaining means is movable between a retracted position out of the path of the associated rods and bands for facilitating assembly thereof and a retaining position disposed for engagement with one of the assembled bands to retain the assembled frame in position on the erector mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, the method comprising the steps of supporting the rods in spaced-apart relationship and extending substantially horizontally, supporting the bands independently of and in surrounding relationship with the supported rods, moving the bands into engagement with predetermined ones of the rods at longitudinally spaced-apart points therealong for support thereby, securing the spaced-apart bands to the predetermined ones of the supporting rods, moving the others of the rods into engagement with the bands for support thereby at points spaced from the points of engagement of the bands with the predetermined ones of the rods, and securing the others of the rods to the bands, whereby to provide an assembled reinforcing frame.

In connection with the foregoing object, still another object of this invention is to provide a method of the type set forth, wherein the support is removed from the predetermined ones of the rods after assembly of the frame, and the assembled frame is erected by pivotal movement thereof with respect to a fixed horizontal axis of rotation, while retaining the assembled frame against translational movement with respect to the axis of rotation during the erection of the frame.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts of the apparatus and the steps of the method whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the column frame constructing apparatus of the present invention shown mounted on a wire mesh working apparatus to facilitate movement of the erecting apparatus from place to place at the construction site;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view of one of the guide clamp members for retaining the frame construction apparatus in place on the wheel base;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section of the guide clamp member taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3A is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing an alternative embodiment of the guide clamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the frame constructing apparatus of the present invention shown mounted on a wheeled carriage in the form of another version of a wire mesh working apparatus, the frame construction apparatus being shown with the rods and bands supported in place thereon;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the frame construction apparatus and wheeled base of FIG. 4, and illustrating the different positions of the carrier mechanisms and the bands during the assembly of the reinforcing frame;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the apparatus after the bands have been dropped into place on the upper rods and the lower rods have been dropped into place at the bottom of the bands;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the frameretaining assembly of the present invention, illustrating the two positions of this assembly;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section taken along the line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the construction apparatus similar to FIG. 5, but illustrating the assembly racks removed from the erector table and with the carriers removed from the rack; and

FIG. 10 is a reduced perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. I, with the frame shown completely assembled and with the frame construction apparatus shown in the frame-installing configuration thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 10 of the drawings, there is illustrated a column frame construction apparatus, generally designated by the numeral 50, which includes a frame assembly and erector mechanism 100 pivotally mounted on a wheeled carriage or support base, which base preferably is in the form of a wire mesh working apparatus 60 (FIGS. 1 and 10) or 90 (FIGS. 4 through 6 and 9), both of which wire mesh working apparatuses are disclosed in detail in my copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 223,190, filed Feb. 3, l972, and entitled Wire Mesh Working Apparatus."

The wire mesh working apparatus includes a pair of parallel spaced-apart tubular outer side rails 61, each being substantially rectangular in transverse cross section. The side rails 61 are respectively slidably received within two relatively short tubular sleeves 62, each being substantially rectangular in transverse cross section and being integral with a rectangular tubular front post 63 extending substantially vertically upwardly therefrom. Interconnecting the front posts 63 at the upper ends thereof is a rectangular tubular crossbar 64 provided at the opposite ends thereof respectively with two rectangular tubular support legs 65 extending therefrom substantially normal thereto and respectively parallel to the side rails 61 in vertical alignment therewith. Connected to the crossbar 64 at locations spaced equidistantly inwardly from the opposite ends thereof are two rectangular tubular inner side rails 66 disposed substantially parallel to each other and extending from the crossbar 64 in a direction opposite to the direction of the legs 65, the other ends of the rails 66 being interconnected by a rear rectangular tubular crossbar 67. Connected to the crossbar 67 respectively at the opposite ends thereof are two rectangular tubular rear posts 68 extending downwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto and parallel to each other, the posts 68 being further interconnected by a brace 69 substantially parallel to the crossbar 67.

The entire apparatus is supported on two pairs of front-wheel assemblies 70 and a pair of rear-wheel assemblies 75. The front wheel assemblies 70 are identically constructed, each including a relatively small wheel 71 mounted for rotation on an axle having the opposite ends thereof journalled in complementary openings respectively formed in the legs of a fork member 72, which is in turn slidably coupled to the side rail 61 for movement longitudinally with respect thereto. One pair of the wheel assemblies 70 is provided forwardly of the front post 63 and the other pair is disposed rearwardly thereof, the wheel assemblies 70 preferably being held in place by means of pins extending through complementary openings in the fork members 72 and the rails 61.

The rear-wheel assemblies 75 are also identically constructed, each including a relatively large diameter wheel 76 mounted for rotation about an axle having the opposite ends thereof respectively journalled in complementary openings formed in the legs of a fork member 77, which is in turn fixedly secured to the bottom end of the corresponding one of the rear posts 68. Each of the rear wheels 76 is provided with acircular brake plate 80 fixedly secured to the wheel hub, the brake plate 80 having a circular array of equidistantly spacedapart openings 81 extending therethrough. A complementary opening (not shown) is provided in the outer leg of the fork member 77 for alignment with the open ings 81, a pin 82 being receivable through the opening in the fork member 77 and an aligned one of the openings 81 in the brake plate 80 for locking the wheel 76 against rotation, thereby preventing rolling movement of the wire mesh working apparatus 60.

The wire mesh working apparatus 90, which is also described in greater detail in the aforementioned c0- pending application Ser. No. 223,190, includes a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally-extending parallel tubular side rails 91, interconnected adjacent to the opposite ends thereof by a pair of laterally extending tubular end rails 92. Respectively extending vertically downwardly from the side rails 91 at the opposite ends of the end rails 92 are four tubular posts 93, each laterally aligned pair of the posts 93 being interconnected adjacent to the lower ends thereof by a tubular crossbar 94. Extension frames (not shown) may also be provided for lengthening the side rails 91, as is more fully described in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 223,190.

The apparatus is supported upon two pairs of wheels 95, each wheel being mounted for rotation on an axle 96 having the opposite ends thereof respectively journalled in complementary openings in the legs of a fork member 97. Each of the rear ones of the wheels 95 is provided with one of the circular brake plates 80 fixedly attached to the wheel hub. The outer leg of the fork member 97 is provided with a complementary opening disposed for alignment with the openings in the brake plate 80, a pin 82 being receivable through the opening in the fork member and aligned one of the openings in the brake plate 80 for locking the wheel against rotation and preventing rolling movement of the wire mesh working apparatus 90. i

The frame assembling and erector mechanism 100 includes an erector table, generally designated by the numeral 110, having mounted thereon a retainer assembly 140 and a pair of assembly racks 150. More particularly, the erector table 110 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a pair of elongated laterally spaced-apart tubular side rails 111, interconnected at one end thereof and at other spaced-apart points therealong by a plurality of transversely extending crossbars 112. The side rails 110 and the crossbars 112 are preferably tubular members substantially rectangular in transverse cross section and are all secured together as by welding to form the erector table 110.

Respectively secured to the two side rails 111 adjacent to one end of the erector table 110 are two U- clamps 115 for pivotally mounting the erector table 110 on the wire mesh working apparatus 60 (or 90). More particularly, the U-clamps 115 are placed around the crossbar 64 of the wire mesh working apparatus 60 and secured by bolts or the like to the erector table side rails 11 1 for cooperation therewith loosely to surround the crossbar 64 to accommodate pivotal movement of the erector table 110 between a substantially horizontally extending frame-assembling position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and a substantially vertically extending frameinstalling position, illustrated in FIG. 10. Preferably, the U-clamps 115 are so positioned on the side rails 111 that when the erector table 110 is mounted on the crossbar 64, the side rails 111 extend forwardly therebeyond a distance substantially equal to the distance between the crossbar 64 and the underlying support surface on which the wire mesh working apparatus 60 is disposed. Disposed centrally of the endmost ones of the crossbar 112 respectively are two cups or sockets 117 fixedly secured to the inner surfaces of the crossbars 112 for a purpose to be more fully explained below.

A pair of guide clamps, each generally designated by the numeral 120, are provided for positioning the erector table 1 on the crossbar 64. The guide clamps 120 are identically constructed, each including a generally channel-shaped mounting bracket 121 shaped complementary to the crossbar 64 and receivable thereover,

and a part-circular guide flange fixedly secured to the bracket 121 at one end thereof and extending outwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto. In use, the mounting brackets 121 are placed over the crossbar 64 on either side of the erector table 110 with the guide flanges 122 facing the side rails 111 and disposed closely adjacent thereto. The guide clamps 121 are then secured in position on the crossbar 64 by means of set screws 123, thereby to restrain the erector table 110 against transverse movements on the wire mesh working apparatus 60.

It will be noted that when the frame-assembling and erector mechanism is used in conjunction with the wire mesh working apparatus 90 (FIG. 5), the erector table is mounted in a similar manner on one of the end rails 92 by means of the U-clamps in the same manner as was described above. Also, the erector table 110 is retained in position on the end rail 92 in the same manner as was described above by means of guide clamps 125 which are substantially identical to the guide clamps 120, the guide clamp 125 having a mounting bracket 126 which is arcuate in transverse cross section to accommodate the round tubular end rail 92, and a guide flange 127. The guide clamp 125 is held in place on the end rail 92 by set screws 128.

Mounted on the erector table 110 and disposed substantially centrally thereof is a retainer support pad, generally designated by the numeral 130, which includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart parallel side bars 132 respectively disposed inwardly of the side rails 111 and substantially parallel thereto. Each of the side bars 132 is of rectangular tubular construction and is preferably provided at one end thereof with a rectangular opening extending transversely therethrough, the same end of the side bar 132 having a flange 133 integral therewith and extending longitudinally therefrom for disposition in overlapping relationship with an adjacent one of the erector table crossbars 122. The side bars 132 are interconnected at the other ends thereof by rectangular tubular end bar 134 which is secured to the side bars 132 as by welding and is provided at each end thereof a clevis-shaped mounting bracket 135 for straddling the adjacent one of the side rails 111, asis illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be seen that the mounting brackets 135 and the flanges 133 cooperate to support the pad 130 on the erector table 110, while preventing movement of the pad 130 in all directions except longitudinally of the erector table 110 away from the crossbar 112a. If desired, an auxiliary end bar 136 may be disposed through the openings 137 in the side bars 132 for added strength, the opposite ends of the auxiliary end bar 136 preferably being provided with mounting brackets 138 substantially identical to the mounting brackets 135, for providing additional support for the pad 130 on rails 111.

Mounted on the end bar 134 is a pair of identically constructed retainer assemblies, each generally designated by the numeral 140, each of the retainer assemblies 140 including a rectangular tubular sleeve 141 fixedly secured as by welding to the surface of the end bar 134 opposite the connection points of the side bars 132. Another rectangular tubular sleeve 142 is secured to the sleeve 141 with the opening thereof oriented generally perpendicular to the opening of the sleeve 141. Slidably received within each of the sleeves 142 is a rectangular tubular retaining bar having fixedly secured thereto at one end thereof a cap plate 143 provided with a downturned flange 144. Preferably, each retaining bar 145 is provided adjacent to the opposite end thereof with an opening 146 therein disposed for alignment with complementary opening 147 in the sleeve 142. In use, the retaining bar 145 is longitudinally movable within the sleeve 142 between a retracted condition, illustrated in solid line in FIG. 1, and extended or retaining condition, illustrated in broken line in FIG. 1, the longitudinal movement of the retaining bar 145 being limited in the retracted condition thereof by engagement of the cap flange 143 with the sleeve 142. When the retaining bar 145 is disposed in the retaining position thereof, the openings 146 and 147 are in alignment for receiving therethrough a suitable pin or stud 148 for locking the retaining bar 145 in position.

Two assembly racks 150 are respectively removably mounted in the sockets 117 adjacent to the opposite ends of the erector table 110, the assembly racks 150 being identically constructed, whereby only one of the racks 150 will be described in detail. The rack 150 is generally T-shaped and includes an inner upstanding post 151 provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart openings 152 therein, the lower end of the post 151 being receivable in the corresponding one of the sockets 117, and the upper end of the post 151 being telescopically received within an outer post 153 provided with an opening 154 therein in position for alignment with the openings 152 in the inner post 151. Thus, it will be seen that by movement of the outer post 153 the opening 154 may be brought into alignment with any desired one of the openings 152 for varying the height of the assembly rack 150, the rack being locked in this desired position by means of a suitable lock pin 155.

Fixedly secured as by welding to the outer post 153 at the upper end thereof is a rectangular tubular outer crossbar or sleeve 156, having telescopically received in the opposite ends thereof a pair of rectangular tubular inner crossbars 157. Preferably, each of the inner crossbars 157 is provided with an end flange 157 and a plurality of openings 158 therein disposed for alignment with complementary openings in the outer crossbar 156 to receive lock pins 159 therethrough for locking the inner crossbars 157 in position with respect to the outer crossbar 156. Thus, it will be seen. that the total length of the crossbar may be varied in an obvious manner.

Respectively mounted on the outer crossbars 157 are two identically constructed carriers, generally designated by the numeral 160, only one of which will be described in detail. The carrier 160 includes a generally U-shaped bracket 161 having a pair of legs or side flanges 162 interconnected at the lower ends thereof by a bight 163. Extending between the legs 162 adjacent to the open ends thereof are two longitudinally spacedapart pins or axles 164, each having rotatably mounted thereon a roller 165. The carrier 160 is shaped generally complementary to the inner crossbar 157, with the distance between the legs 162 and the distance between the bight 163 and the lowermost points of the rollers 165 being such as freely to accommodate the inner crossbar 157, whereby the carrier 160 may be mounted on the inner crossbar 157 with the rollers 165 in rolling engagement with the upper surface of the crossbar 157 to facilitate movement of the carrier longitudinally of the crossbar 157. Spanning the legs 162 of the bracket 161 at the upper end thereof and fixedly secured thereto as by welding is a band support hook 166 having upturned ends 167 respectively disposed outwardly well beyond the legs 162. If desired, there may also be provided a pair of longitudinally spacedapart band support hooks 168 fixedly secured to the upper surface of the outer crossbar 156, each of the hooks 168 having the ends thereof upturned as at 169.

Depending from the bracket 161 is a rod support assembly, generally designated by the numeral 170, the assembly 170 including a post 171 fixedly secured at one end thereof to the bight 163 of the bracket 161 and extending substantially vertically downwardly therefrom. Mounted on the post 171 and projecting laterally inwardly thereof are one or more support arms 175, each having the inner end thereof upturned to form a flange 176. Extending between the flange 176 and the post 171 is a shaft or axle 178 having rotatably mounted thereon a roller 177. While two of the support arms 175 have been illustrated on the post 171, it will be appreciated that any desired number may be utilized. When more than one of the arms 175 is utilized, they are vertically spaced-apart a distance sufficient readily to permit loading of steel reinforcing rods 101 thereon, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

F ixedly secured to theinner post 151 is a lower rod carrier, generally designated by the numeral 180, the rod carrier 180 including a sleeve bracket 181 disposed in surrounding relationship with the inner post 151 and fixedly secured thereto. Respectively projecting laterally outwardly from the opposite sides of the sleeve bracket 181 are two support arms 182, each having the outer end thereof upturned to form a flange 183. Extending between each of the flanges 183 and the bracket 181 is a shaft or axle 184 having rotatably mounted thereon a roller 185. While only one of the carriers 180 has been illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that additional ones of the carriers 180 could be provided at vertically spaced-apart points on the inner post 151.

The operation of the column frame construction apparatus 50 and the use thereof in performing the method of the present invention will now be described. Initially, the apparatus 50 will be hoisted to the desired level or floor on the building under construction, it being understood that the wheel base 60 or accommodates ready movement of the apparatus 50 to any desired location at the predetermined level of the building. The steel rods 101 and steel bands are then also hoisted to the same level of the building for assembly to form column-reinforcing frames. Preferably, two workmen operate the apparatus 50, one stationed on each side thereof.

Initially, the apparatus 50 is disposed in a frameassemblingconfiguration, as illustrated in FIG. 1, with the erector table disposed in its horizontal frameassembling position, and with the retaining bars disposed in their retracted conditions, and with the assembly racks mounted in position in the sockets 117 on the erector table 110.

A plurality of the bands 105 are loaded onto the band support hooks 166 and 168 on each of the assembly racks 150, the bands preferably being disposed on both sides of each of the racks 150. Thus, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, there will normally be one or two bands 1G5 placed on the outside of each of the assembly racks 150 and a larger number of bands 105 placed on the inside of each of the racks 150, the total number of bands being determined by the overall length of the frame to be assembled. Then the rods 101 are fed through the suspended bands 105 from one end of the apparatus 50, one rod 101 being disposed on each one of the rollers 177 and 185, which rollers facilitate the feeding of the reinforcing rods 101 which will normally have rough ridges or serrations on the outer surfaces thereof which would tend to snag on a fixed support member. The rods 101 are fed into position until they have been extended through all of the suspended bands 105, the opposite ends of each rod 101 being respectively supported by corresponding ones of the rod support rollers 177 or 185 on the two assembly racks 150, as is best illustrated in FIG. 1.

For purposes of illustration, there has been illustrated the assembly of a frame having four rods 101 and utilizing substantially rectangular bands 105, in which event two of the bars 101 will be respectively placed on the uppermost ones of the rod support rollers 177 while the other two bars will be respectively placed on the lower rod support rollers 185. It will, however, be appreciated that any desired number of rods may be utilized and bands of different sizes of shapes may be utilized to construct column frames of varying sizes and shapes. Preferably, the carriers 160 are disposed inwardly toward the center post 153 during the loading of the rods 101 onto the racks 150 to prevent interference with the loading of the rods by the suspended bands 105.

When the rods 101 and bands 105 have all been placed in position on the hooks and rollers of the assembly racks 150, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the carriers 160 are rolled outwardly along the inner crossbars 157 to the positions illustrated by broken line in FIG. 5, wherein the uppermost rods 101 are disposed in engagement with the sides of the bands 105. The bands 105 are then removed from the hooks 166 and dropped onto the uppermost rods 101 at equidistantly spacedapart points therealong, whereupon the bands are supported solely by these upper rods 101, with the rods disposed in the upper corners of the bands, as indicated in broken line in FIG. 5. The operators then secure the upper rods to the bands by means of wire ties 106 is the usual manner. Next the lower rods 101 are removed from the rollers 185 and respectively disposed in the lower corners of the bands 105, as indicated in FIG. 6, and in broken line in FIG. 5, at which point the lower rods 101 are then also tied to the bands 105 in the usual manner to complete the assembly of the frame, as shown in FIG. 6.

After the frame has been assembled, the assembly racks 150 are removed from the erector table 110. In order to accomplish this, the assembled frame is manually lifted slightly so that the uppermost rods 101 will clear the tips of the flanges 176 on the support arms 175, and the carriers 160 are then rolled to the ends of the inner crossbars 157, where they are stopped by the flange 157', whereupon the assembled frame is lowered directly onto the erector table 110. Alternatively, it would be possible telescopically to lower the outer post 153 until the assembled frame rests on the erector table 110, and then move the carriers 160. After moving the carriers 160, the racks 150 may then be lifted from the sockets 117, as indicated in FIG. 9, and completely removed from the erector table 110.

The retaining bars 145 are moved from the retracted positions thereof to the extended or retaining positions thereof, as indicated in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, after removing one rack 150, whereby the retaining bars prevent longitudinal tilting of the assembled frame.

It will be noted that in the retaining conditions thereof, the retaining bars 145 extend transversely completely across the assembled frame for engagement with adjacent ones of the bands 105 to limit movement of the frame longitudinally of the erector table 110. It will also be noted from FIGS. 7 and 8 that when an adjacent one of the bands 105 is moved into engagement with the retaining bars 145, the cap flanges 143 will be hooked over the band 105 and further limit movement of the assembled frame in a manner to be described more fully below.

The assembled frame is now ready to be erected and installed in place on the building. The wheeled base 60 or is first moved into the proper position adjacent to the column under construction and the rear wheels 76 or are then locked by placing a pin 82 through the aligned openings in the wheel fork 77 or 97 and the brake plate 80. The erector table is then manually tipped up by pivotal rotation about the crossbar 64 (or 92) to the vertical frame installing position illustrated in FIG. 10. During movement of the table 110 from the horizontal frame-assembling position to the vertical frame-installing position thereof, the assembled frame will tend to slip downwardly along the erector table 110 only until one of the bands 105 engages the retaining bars 145, which bars will then prevent further translation of movement of the assembled frame with respect to the erector table 110. Furthermore, it will be noted that the band 105 in engagement with the retaining bars will also be disposed for engagement with the cap flanges 143 on the retaining bars 145, thereby to prevent the assembled frame from falling outwardly away from the erector table 110. With the assembled frame thus erected, it is tied in place to the dowels in the usual manner, whereupon the retaining bars 145 are returned to the retracted conditions thereof and the entire apparatus 50 is wheeled away from the column after the wheels have been unlocked by removal of the pins 82.

It is a significant feature of the present invention that the entire assembly and installation of the four rod column reinforcing frame can be accomplished in less than 15 minutes by only two men by the use of the apparatus and method of this invention, thereby effecting a considerable savings in manpower over heretofore known construction techniques. Alternatively, utilizing the standard four-man crew, two of the column frame construction apparatuses 50 may be utilized simultaneously with two men per apparatus.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided a novel apparatus of simple and economical construction which greatly facilitates the construction of reinforcing frames for concrete columns. More particularly, there has been provided a frameassembling and installing apparatus for use in conjunction with a wheeled base, whereby two men can completely assemble a reinforcing frame from a plurality of rods and bands and then set the frame in position on the building.

In particular, there has been provided an apparatus and method which permits the assembly and installation of column reinforcing frames with considerably less than half the man hours required by previously known techniques.

There has also been provided an erector table having assembly racks removably mounted thereon for supporting bands and rods having the assembly of the frame, the erector table being pivotally movable to a frame-installing position for setting the assembled frame in place after assembly thereof.

In addition, as indicated in FIG. 10, there has been provided an erector table which, when pivoted to its frame installing position, has the free ends of the side rails thereof engageable with the floor rearwardly of one or both pairs of the wheels 71 to improve the stability of the apparatus. in this configuration, the crossbar 64 and the legs 65 of the wire mesh working apparatus 60 may serve as guard rails to assist and protect the operators of the apparatus.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising an assembly rack, and a plurality of carriers mounted on said assembly rack for movement between a material loading position and a material assembling position for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands thereon, said carriers in the material loading position thereof supporting the associated rods out of engagement with the associated bands to facilitate loading thereof onto said carriers, said carriers in the material assembling position thereof supporting at least predetermined ones of the associated rods in engagement with the associated bands for facilitating assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame, whereby said apparatus facilitates the construction of the reinforcing frame at a building construction site.

2. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism rotatably mounted on said base and having a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, and an assembly rack mounted on said erector mechanism for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands in position for assembly to form a reinforcing frame when said erector mechanism is in the frame-assembling position thereof, said erector mechanism being movable from the frame-assembling position thereof to the frameinstalling position thereof to erect the assembled frame for installation, whereby said apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said erector mechanism extends substantially horizontally in the frame-assembling position thereof and extends substantially vertically in the frame-installing position thereof.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said support base is provided with wheel means for facilitating movement of said apparatus at the building construction site.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the bands are supported on said assembly rack independently of and in surrounding relationship with the associated rods.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, and further including retaining means carried by said erector mechanism for engagement with the assembled reinforcing frame to retain the assembled frame in position on said erector mechanism during pivotal movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frameinstalling position thereof.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said retaining means includes an elongated bar disposed in use transversely through the assembled frame for engagement with an associated band to prevent translational movement of the assembled frame in a direction generally normal thereto during movement of said erector mechanism from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said erector mechanism comprises a substantially flat rectangular table, said assembly rack extending upwardly from said erector mechanism substantially normal to the plane thereoflsaid assembly rack being adjustable among a plurality of positions for varying the height of said assembly rack above said erector mechanism.

9. Apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said erector mechanism is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of rotation between the frame-assembling position and the frame-installing position thereof, said fixed axis of rotation being disposed at predetermined distance above the associated underlying support surface and extending transversely of said erector mechanism at substantially said predetermined distance from one end thereof, whereby when said erector mechanism is disposed in the frame-installing position thereof said one end of said erector mechanism is disposed for engagement with the underlying support surface to improve the stability of the apparatus and the frame supported thereon.

10. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism mounted on said base for movement between a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, two generally T-shaped assembly racks respectively mounted on said erector mechanism at longitudinally spaced-apart points thereon and each including an upstanding post, a crossbar, and two carriers respectively mounted on said crossbar on opposite sides of said post for movement longitudinally of said crossbar with each carrier having a rod support member and a band support member, each rod support member cooperating with a corresponding rod support member on the other one of said assembly racks for supporting one or more rods thereon, the band support members on each one of said assembly racks cooperating to support a plurality of bands in surrounding relationship with the rods supported on said rod support members, the carriers on each of said assembly racks being movable between a material loading condition and a material assembiing condition, said rod support members and said band support members being arranged for supporting the associated rods out of engagement with the associated bands for facilitating loading thereof onto said carriers when said carriers are disposed in the material loading condition thereof. said rod support members and said band support members being arranged for supporting at least predetermined ones of the associated rods in engagement with the associated bands for facilitating assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame when said carriers are disposed in the material assembling condition thereof and said erector mechanism is disposed in the frame assembling position thereof, said erector mechanism being movable from the frameassembling position thereof to the frame-installing position thereof to erect the assembled frame for installation, whereby said apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10, and further including an auxiliary rod support member mounted on said post for supporting additional rods thereon.

12. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism mounted on said base for movement between a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, an assembly rack removably mounted on said erector mechanism for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands with the bands supported independently of and in surrounding relationship with the rods for assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame when said erector mechanism is in the frameassembling position thereof. and retaining means carried by said erector mechanism and movable between a retracted position and a retaining position, said retaining means in the retracted position thereof being disposed out of the path of the associated rods and bands for facilitating assembly thereof to form the reinforcing frame, said retaining means in the retaining position thereof being disposed for engagement with an assembled band to retain the assembled frame in position on said erector mechanism during movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof when said assembly rack has been removed, whereby said apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.

13. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein said erector mechanism is provided with socket means for removably receiving said assembly rack therein.

14. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein said erector mechanism is disposed substantially horizontally in the frame-assembling position thereof and is disposed substantially vertically in the frame-installing position thereof, said retaining means comprising an elongated bar extending in use transversely through the assembled frame for engagement with said associated band to prevent translational movement of the assembled frame with respect to said erector mechanism in a direction parallel thereto during the movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof, said elongated bar further including protruding means at the distal end thereof for engagement with said associated band for preventing movement of the assembled frame in a direction generally normal thereto.

15. A method of constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said method comprising the steps of positioning the rods on suitable support means and extending in substantially horizontally spaced-apart relationship, positioning the bands on said support means independently of and in surrounding relationship with the supported rods, moving the bands into engagement with predetermined ones of the rods at longitudinally spaced-apart points therealong for support thereby, securing the spacedapart bands to the predetermined ones of the supporting rods, moving the others of the rods into engagement with the bands for support thereby at points spaced from the points of engagement of said bands with the predetermined ones of said rods, and securing the others of rods to the bands, whereby to provide an assembled reinforcing frame.

16. The method set forth in claim 15, wherein the bands are first supported substantially coaxially with one another, and then the rods are inserted axially through the bands and supported in their spaced-apart relationship.

17. The method set forth in claim 15, wherein said method further includes removing'said support means from the predetermined ones of the bars, erecting the assembled frame by pivotal movement thereof with respect to a fixed horizontal axis of rotation, while retaining the assembled frame against translational movement with respect to said axis of rotation during the erection of said frame, whereby to assemble and install in place a reinforcing frame. 

1. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising an assembly rack, and a plurality of carriers mounted on said assembly rack for movement between a material loading position and a material assembling position for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands thereon, said carriers in the material loading position thereof supporting the associated rods out of engagement with the associated bands to facilitate loading thereof onto said carriers, said carriers in the material assembling position thereof supporting at least predetermined ones of the associated rods in engagement with the associated bands for facilitating assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame, whereby said apparatus facilitates the construction of the reinforcing frame at a building construction site.
 2. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism rotatably mounted on said base and having a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, and an assembly rack mounted on said erector mechanism for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands in position for assembly to form a reinforcing frame when said erector mechanism is in the frame-assembling position thereof, said erector mechanism being movable from the frame-assembling position thereof to the frame-installing position thereof to erect the assembled frame for installation, whereby said apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said erector mechanism extends substantially horizontally in the frame-assembling position thereof and extends substantially vertically in the frame-installing position thereof.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said support base is provided with wheel means for facilitating movement of said apparatus at the building construction site.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein the bands are supported on said assembly rack independently of and in surrounding relationship with the associated rods.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, and further including retaining means carried by said erector mechanism for engagement with the assembled reinforcing frame to retain the assembled frame in position on said erector mechanism during pivotal movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof.
 7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said retaining means includes an elongated bar disposed in use transversely through the assembled frame for engagement with an associated band to prevent translational movement of the assembled frame in a direction generally normal thereto during movement of said erector mechanism from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof.
 8. The apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said erector mechanism comprises a substantially flat rectangular table, said assembly rack extending upwardly from said erector mechanism substantially normal to the plane thereof, said assembly rack being adjustable among a plurality of positions for varying the height of said assembly rack above said erector mechanism.
 9. Apparatus set forth in claim 2, wherein said erector mechanism is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis of rotation between the frame-assembling position and the frame-installing position thereof, said fixed axis of rotation being disposed a predetermined distance above the associated underlying support surface and extending transversely of said erector mechanism at substantially said predetermined distance from one end thereof, whereby when said erector mechanism is disposed in the frame-installing position thereof said one end of said erector mechanism is disposed for engagement with the underlying support surface to improve the stability of the apparatus and the frame supported thereon.
 10. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism mounted on said base for movement between a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, two generally T-shaped assembly racks respectively mounted on said erector mechanism at longitudinally spaced-apart points thereon and each including an upstanding post, a crossbar, and two carriers respectively mounted on said crossbar on opposite sides of said post for movement longitudinally of said crossbar with each carrier having a rod support member and a band support member, each rod support member cooperating with a corresponding rod support member on the other one of said assembly racks for supporting one or more rods thereon, the band support members on each one of said assembly racks cooperating to support a plurality of bands in surrounding relationship with the rods supported on said rod support members, the carriers on each of said assembly racks being movable between a material loading condition and a material assembling condition, said rod support members and said band support members being arranged for supporting the associated rods out of engagement with the associated bands for facilitating loading thereof onto said carriers when said carriers are disposed in the material loading condition thereof, said rod support members and said band support members being arranged for supporting at least predetermined ones of the associated rods in engagement with the associated bands for facilitating assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame when said carriers are disposed in the material assembling condition thereof and said erector mechanism is disposed in the frame assembling position thereof, said erector mechanism being movable from the frame-assembling position thereof to the frame-installing position thereof to erect the assembled frame for installation, whereby said apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.
 11. The apparatuS set forth in claim 10, and further including an auxiliary rod support member mounted on said post for supporting additional rods thereon.
 12. Apparatus for constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said apparatus comprising a support base, an erector mechanism mounted on said base for movement between a frame-assembling position and a frame-installing position, an assembly rack removably mounted on said erector mechanism for supporting a plurality of associated rods and bands with the bands supported independently of and in surrounding relationship with the rods for assembly therewith to form a reinforcing frame when said erector mechanism is in the frame-assembling position thereof, and retaining means carried by said erector mechanism and movable between a retracted position and a retaining position, said retaining means in the retracted position thereof being disposed out of the path of the associated rods and bands for facilitating assembly thereof to form the reinforcing frame, said retaining means in the retaining position thereof being disposed for engagement with an assembled band to retain the assembled frame in position on said erector mechanism during movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof when said assembly rack has been removed, whereby said apparatus facilitates the assembly of the reinforcing frame and the erection and installation of the assembled frame.
 13. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein said erector mechanism is provided with socket means for removably receiving said assembly rack therein.
 14. The apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein said erector mechanism is disposed substantially horizontally in the frame-assembling position thereof and is disposed substantially vertically in the frame-installing position thereof, said retaining means comprising an elongated bar extending in use transversely through the assembled frame for engagement with said associated band to prevent translational movement of the assembled frame with respect to said erector mechanism in a direction parallel thereto during the movement thereof from the frame-assembling position to the frame-installing position thereof, said elongated bar further including protruding means at the distal end thereof for engagement with said associated band for preventing movement of the assembled frame in a direction generally normal thereto.
 15. A method of constructing from a plurality of relatively rigid rods and bands a reinforcing frame for a concrete column at a building construction site, said method comprising the steps of positioning the rods on suitable support means and extending in substantially horizontally spaced-apart relationship, positioning the bands on said support means independently of and in surrounding relationship with the supported rods, moving the bands into engagement with predetermined ones of the rods at longitudinally spaced-apart points therealong for support thereby, securing the spaced-apart bands to the predetermined ones of the supporting rods, moving the others of the rods into engagement with the bands for support thereby at points spaced from the points of engagement of said bands with the predetermined ones of said rods, and securing the others of rods to the bands, whereby to provide an assembled reinforcing frame.
 16. The method set forth in claim 15, wherein the bands are first supported substantially coaxially with one another, and then the rods are inserted axially through the bands and supported in their spaced-apart relationship.
 17. The method set forth in claim 15, wherein said method further includes removing said support means from the predetermined ones of the bars, erecting the assembled frame by pivotal movement thereof with respect to a fixed horizontal axis of rotation, while retaining the assembled frame against translational movement with respect to said axis of rotatioN during the erection of said frame, whereby to assemble and install in place a reinforcing frame. 